Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Why?

Honestly, if Qiuqiu had to explain, even he wasn't sure why he made this choice. But he thought, the reason Omegas didn’t want him to choose the combat department was likely because they deemed it too dangerous, fearing he might get hurt or even face danger.

And what about the Alphas and Betas?

Through his recent firsthand interactions, Qiuqiu was willing to believe that most people, regardless of their prejudices and stereotypes, shared the same concern as the Omegas, with ultimately good intentions.

However, what about the very few others?

Like the nobility.

The nobility didn't want Omegas to choose the combat department. Was it out of concern for the Omegas' safety, or fear that Omegas might discover they were not limited to just the healing department?

Or perhaps, were they afraid that Omegas would break free from their control?

Therefore, Qiuqiu felt not only should he not return to the healing department, but the best choice was to continue staying in the combat department.

However, Qiuqiu couldn't directly share this response with Bai Tianxing and the Omegas present. He glanced at the Beta butler, who continued to watch him with a gentle smile. Qiuqiu was acutely aware that the freedom the Omegas enjoyed in this castle was definitely limited.

What they gained, they were secretly losing something else in return. It was just that this loss was too concealed, and the current Omegas hadn’t yet realized it.

So, Qiuqiu had to find a way to explain his decision in a manner the Omegas could accept: “Since those Alphas and Betas look down on Omegas, deeming them spoiled and incapable of hardship, then I have even more reason not to return to the healing department. Otherwise, wouldn't it just confirm their prejudices about Omegas?”

Bai Tianxing and the other Omegas were momentarily stunned, looking at each other, clearly not expecting such a response from Qiuqiu.

Almost without thinking, they accepted Qiuqiu's reasoning and even felt guilty for their initial misunderstanding of him.

With worried faces, they once again started conspiring aloud in front of Qiuqiu: “What should we do? I think what the little Omega said makes sense.”

The Emerald Creeper Omega wavered but was hesitant: “But the combat department is really dangerous. Do we really leave the little Omega there just for the sake of pride?”

The Pachira Omega cautiously glanced at Qiuqiu: “Hmm... should we trust him? He has combat genes too, maybe he's even stronger than those stinky Alphas.”

The Holly Omega, distressed, tugged at the leaves on his head: “Ah, you all make good points. I don’t know what to do.”

They hesitated and couldn't make up their minds. As the discussion dragged on and it was almost getting dark, Bai Tianxing decisively said, “The little Omega is right! Why should we let those Alphas and Betas look down on us? We should stay in the combat department and show them, make them see their own worthless selves, unable to even match an Omega!”

Hearing this, Qiuqiu breathed a sigh of relief, confident that this matter was nearly resolved, and the school’s Omegas wouldn’t bother him anymore about choosing between the combat and healing departments.

Without waiting for Qiuqiu to speak, Bai Tianxing approached him, slightly lowered his head, and took Qiuqiu’s hand, guiding it to touch the baby's breath flowers on his head.

At the same time, Bai Tianxing spoke sternly to Qiuqiu: “The combat department is full of challenges, not as simple as you think. Not all Alphas and Betas are good people. If you’re determined to stay there, you must be very careful.”

“But don’t be afraid. If anyone dares to bully you, just tell us. We’ll make sure they don’t have an easy time at Dark Star Military Academy!”

Wait, wait—

Qiuqiu's eyes widened in resistance, stepping back, unwilling to touch the baby's breath flowers on Bai Tianxing’s head.

But before he could refuse, the other Omegas also crowded around, bowing their heads and bringing the small leaves on their heads close to Qiuqiu's hand.

“！”

Since arriving in this world, Qiuqiu, no matter the situation, had never been as panicked as he was now, his usually expressionless face filled with a look of horror.

He couldn’t understand why his kind in this world were so open. Having reproductive organs on the head for all to see was one thing, but now, upon their first meeting, they were inviting him to touch!

"I, no—"

Before he could finish saying "don't want to touch," his words were swallowed by the enthusiastic actions of the Omegas.

Eventually, from Bai Tianxing’s baby’s breath flowers to the Emerald Creeper, Holly, Plantago, and Pachira, Qiuqiu was surrounded and obliged to touch each one.

The Omegas with plant genes, like the Alphas with their fluffy beast ears, had small flowers or leaves on their heads that were even more sensitive than their physical bodies. Instinctively, they could sense that the one touching them was a kindred spirit, stronger than themselves.

Qiuqiu’s powerful vitality brought joy to these plants, who instinctively sought closeness and happily shook their delicate, frail leaves upon being touched.

Qiuqiu pursed his lips and, at the moment of contact, quietly infused a bit of spiritual energy.

From the outset, he noticed these kindred plants appeared somewhat malnourished, with wilted flowers and skinny leaves, a stark contrast to Earth’s plants. Further discreet investigation confirmed this upon actual contact.

Looking at the plants, now visibly more vibrant after receiving his spiritual energy, Qiuqiu thought, "Well, consider it a little gift for our first meeting."

However, he didn’t infuse as much spiritual energy as he had into Dong Kui on the Elpis. The latter, for some reason, appeared to be in a much better condition than the Omegas on Dark Star. To the uninformed, Dong Kui’s exterior belied any underlying issues.

But Qiuqiu distinctly felt that Dong Kui’s plant genes were unstable, as if on the verge of a life-threatening event, which prompted him to help.

The Omegas at Dark Star Military Academy didn’t need as much spiritual energy. He guessed they appeared malnourished because they were overexerting themselves in providing emotional guidance and pheromone comfort, combined with poor living conditions and lack of replenishment.

The Omegas were very warm, a far cry from their initially arrogant and domineering demeanor, eagerly participating in the touching ritual. By the end, the little Rose’s pupils were somewhat dilated, his gaze filled with helplessness, confusion, and desolation.

He couldn't understand why the greeting ritual among healing Omegas involved inviting others to touch them...

But that wasn't the end of it; there was also a ritual of touching him.

"You seem to lack flowers and leaves…" Bai Tianxing murmured quietly, then quickly remembered Qiuqiu mentioning he was a defective Omega, and hastily added, "It's okay, we'll just pat your little head."

As he spoke, he reached out to ruffle Qiuqiu's soft, golden hair.

Then…

He ruffled it again.

Huh? It's so soft and comforting.

Bai Tianxing’s eyes lit up, his hand rubbing and rubbing, unable to resist the soft, golden strands.

Seeing this, the other Omegas also came over to pinch his cheeks. Their touches were gentle, not strong, pinching left and right, seemingly unable to let go.

“Ah, so cute~” Holly Omega poked the little Omega's soft cheeks.

“Like a fluffy marshmallow~” Emerald Creeper Omega closed their eyes contentedly.

“Still can't bear to send such a pretty and well-behaved little Omega to the combat department,” Pachira Omega sighed.

“If only my brother were a cute Omega like you instead of a good-for-nothing Alpha,” Plantago Omega grumbled.

Surrounded by a group of Omegas, Qiuqiu stood still, unable to resist or hurt them, his face expressionless like a delicate crystal doll being dressed up.

Finally, Bai Tianxing was the first to stop, and the others followed suit, releasing their hands.

“This is a special friendship ritual among Omegas,” he said seriously, “From now on, you are one of us, an Omega.”

Really? Is this actually a ritual, and not just an excuse?

But at that moment, Qiuqiu was too overwhelmed to think about it.

He just nodded blankly, his innocent gaze making the Omegas’ hearts bloom with joy, wishing they could shrink him down and carry him in their palms, never wanting to let him out of their sight.

"So, may I leave now?" Autumn Sparrow still seemed lost in thought.

Bai Tianxing nodded, then signaled a Beta butler to bring something over. As it approached, Autumn Sparrow saw that it was shaped like a pendant—

A small daisy, crafted from pure silver, in the style of a necklace.

"An Omega alarm is designed to protect the safety of Omegas. It looks like a small daisy-shaped pure silver necklace, equipped with a locator and signal receiver."

The sight of the necklace brought to Autumn Sparrow’s mind the words Figo had spoken to him.

Bai Tianxing gently picked up the item, presenting it before Qiu Autumn, "Do you know what this is?"

Qiu Autumn nodded, "Yes, I do."

"You do?" The other party was evidently surprised.

"An Alpha roommate in the dormitory told me," Qiu Autumn affirmed, "He also explained many things I didn’t understand."

Bai Tianxing, recalling the tiger Alpha who had publicly contradicted him in the cafeteria, felt a mix of emotions.

He beckoned Qiu Autumn to come closer, intending to help him put on the necklace.

Bai Tianxing advised, "We don’t like wearing these, feeling it takes away our freedom. But Dark Star isn’t as safe as you think, notorious for its dangers and chaos. It’s relatively safe within the school, but once you step outside, no one can guarantee your safety. So, even if you dislike it, it’s better to always wear it."

Bai Tianxing’s tone was flat as he spoke, as if merely stating a fact.

Obediently, Qiu Autumn took a few steps towards him. It was then that Bai Tianxing unexpectedly realized how petite this Omega was, even shorter and smaller than himself.

He couldn't help but frown, wondering if such a small Omega could really survive in the combat department.

Bai Tianxing unclasped the daisy necklace and, holding one end, brought the two sides together, inadvertently enveloping Qiu Autumn in his arms.

So close, Qiu Autumn could faintly smell a light, delicate rice fragrance from him, conjuring a mental image of a field of white baby's breath flowers.

As Bai Tianxing bowed his head, the pure silver necklace around his neck slipped out, rubbing against the edge of his sleeve with the sound of silver chains colliding.

His lips pressed tightly, Bai Tianxing focused on fastening the alarm for Qiu Autumn, unconsciously softening his usually arrogant demeanor, resembling a clean and refreshing young man.

Qiuqiu blinked uncomfortably, reflecting on Bai Tianxing's earlier words. He found it hard to reconcile the image of the haughty man he first met with someone who had almost resignedly accepted the alarm, a device that, to him, seemed like an affront to dignity. Even if it wasn’t as humiliating as the restraining collars Alphas had to wear, Qiuqiu thought nobody would choose to wear such a branded alarm if given the option.

“Why wear it?”

Bai Tianxing didn’t catch the question; his long, dark eyelashes fluttered as he tilted his head towards Qiuqiu, trying to hear more clearly.

“Hmm?”

“What?”

His breath nearly sprayed all over Qiuqiu’s neck, the warm breath almost scalding his pale, snow-like skin.

Qiuqiu involuntarily shrank back, looking up at Bai Tianxing: “Why is it necessary to wear the alarm?”

Bai Tianxing's movements paused momentarily before quickly regaining focus. While attentively adjusting the necklace's fit, he answered, “Because of the Black Alpha organization.”

“Black Alpha organization?” Qiuqiu had never heard of this name.

Emerald Creeper Omega clarified, “It means Black Alphas.”

Bai Tianxing continued, “Just like Omegas hate Alphas, there are Alphas who hate Omegas. The most extreme of these Alphas formed this organization. Its full name is Black Alpha, abbreviated as Black A.”

Qiuqiu looked at Bai Tianxing.

The latter continued explaining, “The Black Alphas resent the Omegas for enjoying the majority of the Empire’s resources and having privileges beyond the reach of ordinary Alphas and Betas. They’re also fed up with always having to beg Omegas for emotional guidance and pheromone comfort. So, this organization, born out of revenge, has only one goal—”

Bai Tianxing's tone and gaze turned cold: "The Black Alphas are determined to eradicate all Omegas."

"They operate in places with no military presence or inadequate security. Any lone Omega they target almost always meets a grim fate. To achieve their goals of revenge and intimidation, the Black Alphas publicize their brutal acts on the star network, including extracting the Omega's glands after killing them. Each incident spreads panic among Omegas, while they relish the fear from their hidden corners. Each year, the number of Omegas killed by the Black Alphas accounts for two-thirds of all non-natural deaths."

In other words, the majority of non-natural deaths of Omegas each year are almost all due to the cruelty of the Black Alphas.

Qiuqiu felt Bai Tianxing involuntarily tighten his grip on the alarm, then after a moment, let go and pulled away.

He said coldly: “Every planet has Black Alphas, including the heavily guarded capital star, and needless to say, Dark Star as well. It’s relatively safe within the school, so there’s no need to worry. But once you step outside, you could be targeted by the Black Alphas. That’s why it’s safer to wear the alarm at all times.”

So that’s how it is.

Qiuqiu lowered his head, fingering the cold daisy pendant.

He asked, “Hasn’t there been any attempt to exterminate the Black As?”

Bai Tianxing shook his head: “The royal family has issued several orders to eliminate them, but the Empire’s borders are too vast, and most of the military is stationed there, so the efforts haven't been very effective. Even though many Black As have been captured and executed, it doesn’t outweigh the constant influx of new Alphas joining them.”

Qiuqiu nodded, indicating he understood.

However, he couldn’t help but speculate with the darkest thoughts: was the rise of the Black Alphas really due to a surge of extreme Alphas venting their hatred on Omegas, or was it part of someone’s plan to create an “absolutely safe” fortress for Omegas under their control?

After all, the existence of thieves necessitates the need for police.

Without external dangers, how could the safety of the school, or perhaps other organizations, be highlighted?

Even if his suspicions were wrong and the nobility hadn’t stooped so low, wasn’t the intense hatred of the Black Alphas towards Omegas also a result of their deliberate instigation?

The Empire’s current predicament can be largely attributed to the nobility.

At this moment, Qiuqiu suddenly thought of Morfa. If Morfa truly came from a noble family, was his family involved in this series of schemes?

The deeper he thought, the more terrifying it seemed, forcing Qiuqiu to temporarily stop pondering these related topics.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped back and politely said to Bai Tianxing and the other Omegas, “It’s getting late. I should head back to the dormitory. Thank you for everything you’ve shared with me.”

Bai Tianxing nodded, assuring him, “If you have any trouble, you can always come to me. I’ll do my best to help within my capabilities.”

Standing with one hand on his hip, he spoke confidently: “At least within Dark Star Military Academy, there’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“Thank you,” Qiuqiu said softly.

Emerald Creeper Omega pointed to the Beta butler, considerately suggesting, “Even though the school is relatively safe, you’re still an unarmed Omega. Let Anjie escort you back.”

Qiuqiu glanced at the ever-polite butler. The discomfort lingered around him, and he instinctively didn’t like the man very much.

But people like Anjie were probably all over this Omega dormitory, serving as the nobility's eyes, monitoring every move of the Omegas.

Despite his dislike, Qiuqiu had no concrete evidence. Everything was based on conjecture, and as an outsider, he wasn't in a position to expose the butler’s true identity at this time.

Therefore, he silently accepted Emerald Creeper Omega’s kind suggestion.

After leaving the Omega dormitory, the sky was completely dark. According to the curfew schedule of Dark Star Military Academy, it was almost time for the students’ lockdown.

In the Alpha dormitory, Tang Butian brought a small stool to sit by the window, propping his chin on the windowsill, his round eyes scanning the paths leading to the dormitory building like radar, searching through the bustling crowd for a familiar, petite figure.

However, from dawn till dusk, he never saw the person he was waiting for.

The streetlights lit up one by one, but Tang Butian's hopeful gaze slowly dimmed.

"Qiuqiu surely won't return now," he said dejectedly, turning back as if seeking comfort from his roommates, "The healing department is so much better, more suited for him than the combat department."

Xu Feng didn't respond; he just sat blankly on the sofa, idly fiddling with the carrot ring in his hand, spinning it around his finger.

Figo emerged from the bathroom, his hands still wet. He seemed the calmest of them all, maintaining composure. But only he knew how scared he was that Qiuqiu might leave and never want him again.

Earlier, Figo had been able to console the unsettled Brown Bear Alpha and Droopy-Eared Rabbit Alpha. But as time passed, his own restlessness grew, glancing occasionally at the dormitory door, hoping it would open like usual and let in that beautiful little Omega.

But each hopeful glance only ended in endless disappointment.

As curfew neared, and the dormitory would soon forbid entry or exit, the three Alphas grew increasingly anxious.

They yearned for the Omega as desperately as parched people crave water, needing a downpour named Qiuqiu to survive.

"It's okay, even if... even if Qiuqiu doesn't come back, it's alright. At least he chose the safer healing department, the best choice for him," Figo tried to comfort Tang Butian and Xu Feng, but even he couldn't convince himself with such feeble reassurance, let alone others.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with desolation, resembling little dogs abandoned by their owner.

The three forlornly stared at the dormitory door, unwilling to accept their fate despite the slim chances.

As time ticked away, just when they were about to lose all hope, the motionless door suddenly creaked with the sound of the doorknob turning!

Figo, Tang Butian, and Xu Feng immediately looked up, their eyes filled with nervous anticipation—

With a "creak," the door opened, followed by a familiar sound of footsteps, light as if stepping on their hearts.

The first thing that caught their eyes was a warm, sun-like golden hue.

It was Qiuqiu.

He had returned.

Back to a place where everyone couldn't do without him.

Figo and the others looked over excitedly, their earnest gazes making Qiuqiu feel somewhat uneasy as he changed into his slippers, saying cautiously:

“Why are you all looking at me with such strange eyes?”

Author's note:

I'm quietly bringing in my 'big-eyed baby'. Sometimes there will be extras and some new ideas dropping. Everyone can follow for updates~